NGO claims head of Tbilisi City hall Education and Culture department chief has no diploma
By Tatia Megeneishvili
Monday, October 5
The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Civil Monitoring Centre has demanded that the head of the Education, Culture and Youth Affairs Department of Tbilisi City Hall, Giorgi Areshidze, to produce and publicize his diploma.
The Center claims that the university indicated by Areshidze, 25, who is the brother-in-law of the Minister of Energy Kakhi Kaladze, does not exist.
The head of the NGO Giorgi Khaburdzania said that City Hall should either make the document public or dismiss Areshidze from the post, which he has occupied since 2014.
According to the NGO, they have investigated the existence of the university with the Ministry of Education of Georgia.
“According to the Ministry, the St. Nicholas International Relations University doesn’t exist in their database.”
“Accordingly, there is a possibility that he has no higher education at all,” stated Khaburdzania.
Several days ago, Kaladze recommended that Areshidze leave the position; however, Areshidze refused.
According to him, his education is equal to his position. He also stated that he is ready to answer any and all questions regarding his studies.
“I respect Vice PM Kaladze, however, I am an independent person and I am the only one responsible for my life and my actions. I have an ability to analyze, and that is why I am not going to quit my position,” stated Areshidze, without revealing his diploma.
After the statement, Areshidze attended a City Hall session, wherein the opposition once again raised the issue concerning his dismissal.
The opposition party, the United National Movement, accuses the ruling government of nepotism and stresses that Areshidze was appointed due to Kaladze’s influence.
